Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1887-01-27

y
will see that they are-ahem!-conveyed t.
him. I shall give them to him with my owl
hand" he concluded, falling back in his chair
as if the better to contemplate the perspectiv,
of his own generosity and condescension. Mr.
Wiles took his hat and turned to go. Before
he reached the door Mr.. Gashwiler returned
to the social level with chuckle:
"You say this woman, this Garcia's niece
| is handsome and Smart!'
"Yes.n
u can set another woman on the tracl
that'n euchre her every timer
Mr.. Wiles was too clever oappear to motto,
the sudden lapse in the congressman's dig
nifty, and only said, with his right eye:
"Can you?"
"By Cd, aoiH, OR don't know how t.
represent Remus."
Mr.. Wiles thanked him with his right eve
and looked a dagger with his left. "Good, ,
he said, and added persuasively: "Does she
live here"
The congressman nodded assent. Gan aw
fully handsome woman-a particular friend
of mine!" Mr.. Gashwiler here looked as if he
would not mind to have been rallied a little
over his intimacy with the fair one; but the
astute Mr.. Wiles was at the same moment
making up his mind, after interpreting the
congressman's look and manner, that he must
know this fair incognito if he wished to sway
Gashwiler He determined to bide his time
and withdrew
The door was scarcely closed upon him
when another knock diverted Mr.. Gashwiler's
attention from his proofs. The door opened
to young man with sandy hair and anxious
face. He entered the room deprecatingly, as
if conscious of the presence of powerful
being, to be suppicated and feared Mr..
Gashwiler did not attempt to disabuse his
mind. Busy, you see" he said shortly,
correcting your work"
II hope it is acceptable?7 said the young
man timidly
"Well-yes-it will do,' said Gashwiler;
@indeed l may say it is satisfactory on the
whole" he added with the appearance of a
large generosity; "quite satisfactory"
"You have no news, l suppose" continued
the young man, with a slight flush, born of
pride or expectation.
"No, nothing as yet" Mr. Gashwiler paused
as if thought had struck him.
II have thought" he said, finally, ''that
some position-such as a secretaryship with
me-would help you to a better appointment
Now, supposing that make you my private
secretary giving you some important and
confidential business. Eh!'
nobbc lonlyaI Of he xo{,.o,, ,,-;,l, - ao,,4o
wistful, dog-like expectancy, moved himself
excitedly on his chair seat in peculiar canine
like anticipation of gratitude, strongly sug-
gesting that he would have wagged his tail if
he had one At which Mr.. Gashwiler became
more impressive.
'Indeed, may say that anticipated it by
certain papers have put in your charge and
in your name, only taking from you a trans
fer that might enable me to satisfy my con-
science hereafter in recommending you as my
-ahem!-private secretary. Perhaps, as
mere form, you might now, while you are
here, put your name to these transfers, and,
SO to speak, begin your duties at once"
The glow Of pride and hope that mantled
the cheek of poor Dobbs might have melted
harder heart than Gashwilers. But the
senatorial toga had invested Mr.. Gashwiler
with a more than Roman stoicism toward The
feelings of others, and he only fell back in
his chair in the pose of conscious rectitude as
Dobbs hurriedly signed the paper.
II shall place them in my portman-tell," :"
said Gashwiler, suiting the word to the action,
"for safe keeping. need not inform you, who
are now, as it were, on the threshold Of Off
cial life, that perfect and inviolable secrecy
in all affairs of state"-Mr. G. here pointed
toward his portmanteau as if it contained a
treaty at least-"is most essential and neces-
sary."
Dobbs assented. "Then my duties will
keep me with you here?" he asked doubtfully.
"No, no." said Gashwiler hastily; then, cor
recting himself, he added: 'that is-for the
present-nol"
Poor Dobbs' face fell. The near fact was
that he had lately had notice to quit his pres
ent lodgings i'll consequence of arrears in his
rent, and he had hopeful reliance that his
confidential occupation would carry bread
and lodging with it. But he only asked if
there were any new papers to make out.
"Ahem! not at present; the fact is I am
obliged to give so much of my time to callers
Il have to-day been obliged to see half
dozen-that must lock myself up and say
Not at home for the rest of the day." Feel
ing that this was an intimation that the inter-
view was over, the new private secretary, a
little dashed as to his near hopes, but still
sanguine of the future, bumbly took his
leave.
But here a certain providence, perhaps
mindful of poor Dobbs, threw into his simple
hands-to be used or not, if he were worthy
or capable of using it-a certain power and
advantage. He had descended the staircase,
and was passing through the lower corridor,
when he was made the unwilling witness of
remarkable assault
It appeared that Mr.. Wiles, who had
quilted Gashwiler's presence as Dobbs was
announced, had other business in the hotel,
and in pursuance of it had Knocked at room
No. 90. In response to the gruff voice that
bade him enter, Mr.. Wiles opened the door,
and espied the figure of a tall, muscular, fiery
bearded man extended on the bed, with the
Ueu clOtHeS carefully tucheo uiiuei lis cAin,
and his arms lying fat by bis side.
Mr.. Wiles beamed with his right cheek,
and advanced to the bed as if to take the
hand of the stranger, who, however, neither
by word or sign, responded to his salutation
"Perhaps I'm intrudingp said Mr.. Wiles
blandly.
"Perhaps you are. said Red Beard dryly.
Mr. Wiles forced a smile on his right cheek.
which he turned to the smiter, but permitted
the left to indulge in unlimited malevolence.